Back in late 2023, Richard called me - somewhat out of the blue - to enquire if I was interested in building him a website. I didn't think much of it, as he was a serial businessman, and he was clearly getting geared up for a new venture, and so I took a meeting with him, and over the Christmas break, I worked my socks off to get a fully functioning website built with masses of product images, options, and pricing structures, all built in.
Though it didn't feel like much of a break that year, we pulled it off. What's more, I agreed to stay on doing a few hours a week, here or there, to keep the website updated and ticking over. It really started to build up a head of steam, and, inevitably, 9 months on from then, I'd left my job to start working for Prints & Frames full time.
Christmas 2024 was no less manic, but this time it was all hands on deck to fulfill all the orders we were receiving, and so we went into 2025 with a real sense of optimism.
Sadly, in early January, Richard, the Managing Director, fell ill and, after 6 days in hospital and two emergency surgeries, passed away. The business, along with the rest of his family and friends, were shook by how suddenly and inexplicably this had all come to pass. It was inconceivable that someone so full of life could slip off so briskly, with no real warning.
Although business was going well, we were soon informed that Richard was, in fact, the sole director listed for the company, and so, legally, we had to close until further notice. It felt like one last blow, not just to us, but to Richard's legacy.
We here at Framed Works, are, in no small part, borne of the ashes of that business and also the man behind it. He was a huge character and it was impossible for him not to leave an impression on you. He was a quick witted chap, and generous with his time, and he was always more than happy to share his thoughts on things, good, bad or indifferent. He could be difficult at times, but usually that was because he was so passionate about things, and whether he saw eye to eye with you or not, he remained a loyal and fierce advocate for the people he surrounded himself with and the causes and beliefs he held dear to him.
We owe him a debt of gratitude, and if you're somewhere up there, Richard, looking down on us, we hope you approve of our website's font sizes.